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Victoria Council: B.C. Must Have More Control and Checks on Housing Assistance

July 1st, 2012

What is the Latest News from the Victoria, B.C. Council?

This real issue is whether or not Victoria landlords are benefiting from B.C. government money (directly or indirectly) by illegally housing tenants who receive government rental or income assistance.

What does this Mean?

It’s a serious situation. It leaves the City of Victoria in the unenviable position of having to evict weak tenants out of their rental properties.

What is the Victoria City Council Going to Do?

The City of Victoria council voted unanimously to, wait for it, write a letter to the province. The letter included (1) a request that it take more precautions to ensure recipients of rental assistance or other income assistance are living housing that is properly zoned and permitted.

Councillor Madoff said: “A property will come forward, where the city has become aware, via a complaint, that there may be illegal occupancy or work done without a permit.”

She continued by stating: “What happens is we’re the ones that are put into an enforcement role. (That) can result in people being displaced from their accommodation, when many of them are actually having their rent paid or subsidized through the provincial government.”

Furthermore: “It’s happened several times in the last few months” Madoff complained.

What are Some Examples?

For instance, this spring bylaw officers discovered an totally illegal rooming house at 830-832 Queens Ave. The rooming house contained 10 to 12 unrelated adults. The landlord was even living in an illegal suite located inside the duplex!

“We feel that there should be some due diligence on the part of the provincial government to make sure that when they are putting folks in accommodation, that the accommodation is legal for the use,” Madoff said. “It’s just been really difficult for us on the planning committee, because we feel like we’re the ones displacing folks.”

What Does the Ministry of Social Development Say?

A spokesperson with the Ministry of Social Development, which is responsible for housing, said responsibility lies with the landlord and the municipality.

“Under the Residential Tenancy Act, landlords must comply with health, safety and housing standards required by law,” the spokesperson wrote in an email to the News. “This includes local government bylaws.

The spokesperson continued by stating: “If the city is having zoning issues with privately owned landlord buildings, then that is a municipal responsibility; B.C. has no jurisdiction. Local government has the responsibility and the authority to enforce their own bylaws.”

Tags: B.C. government, Social assistance, Welfare
Posted in Victoria landlords | Comments Off on Victoria Council: B.C. Must Have More Control and Checks on Housing Assistance

CMHC Rental Housing Report: Affordability is Still a Big Issue In Vancouver

June 28th, 2012

What Did the CMHC Report Say?

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation stated in a media release Vancouver is continuing with the trend of not only low vacancy rates but also increasing rental costs to tenants.

What Is Happening in 2012?

In 2012, the CMHC report shows vacancy rates dropped by two-tenths of a percentage point in Vancouver —to a low 2.6 percent from 2.8 percent in 2011.

How Do Vancouver Rental Prices Compare with Other Cities in Canada?

Well, if you are looking Canada-wide and looking for a great deal on rent you can move to Trois-Rivières, where a two-bedroom goes for $543, or move to Saguenay at $553. Hey, you can consider the lovely Eastern Townships in Sherbrook, Quebec at only $581 per month.

No Thanks, I Like the Vibrant Economy and Culture of BC

We don’t blame you. There are lots of reasons why rent is cheap in Quebec.

And in Vancouver?

Overall, average rents went up in Vancouver. Studio apartments increased from $839 to around $855.

One bedroom units increased from $934 to nearly $965.

Two-bedrooms increased from $1,288 to nearly $1,219.

Three bedrooms had a minimal rise in rent. Only a looney, $1406 to $1407.

Where Does Put Vancouver in Terms of Rental Prices?

Vancouver is the most expensive city to rent a two- bedroom apartment in Canada.

While some might see this as a negative, we see it as a true positive. People want to be here, people want to invest here, people want to work here, people want to buy here.

What Does It Mean in the Big Picture?

It means a lot of renters won’t be able to afford to rent in Vancouver. Of course, a lot of investors can’t afford to invest in Vancouver either. The CMCH report didn’t go into depth on that topic.

We think high rents mean a wealthy and dynamic city!

Tags: CHMC, rental prices, Vancouver
Posted in Vancancy rates | Comments Off on CMHC Rental Housing Report: Affordability is Still a Big Issue In Vancouver

Fighting Your Landlord Brings…An Eviction Notice?

June 22nd, 2012

Who Received an Eviction Notice?

Sue Collard is chair of the Whalley/City Centre chapter of controversial low-income advocacy group ACORN Canada. Collard was a former building manager at Kwantlen Park Manor and is now a tenant there.

Why is this Newsworthy?

It’s getting media attention because of who the landlord is and the timing of the eviction notice.

Who is the Landlord?

The landlord is Gurdyal Signh Sahota and his company called “Waterford Developments.”

In March, the BC Residential Tenancy Branch gave a $115,000 administrative penalty — the first of this type of penalty — against the owner Gurdyal Singh Sahota and his company Waterford Developments.

The May 15 deadline passed last month, and Sahota hasn’t been paid and the roof hasn’t been fixed.

On May 31, Collard and three other tenants occupying front-facing second-floor suites received letters ordering them to move out by July 31 because the landlord needed to do necessary repairs.

The Landlord has Begun to Do Repairs. What’s the Issue?

Because Collard is very angry. She states:

“Despite the number of large headlines that the province is taking action against scofflaw landlords, well, they’re still scoffing.”

Collard continues:

“Despite the number of large headlines that the province is taking action against scofflaw landlords, well, they’re still scoffing.”

Collard also says:

“I am now left wondering about the complete and utter grotesque absurdity of the entire process.”

“They have not paid the fine, not done the work, now they are issuing notices and so far, the only thing the province is doing is ‘negotiating,’” she said.

What Does the “Fine” have to Do with Evicting To Fix Things?

A spokeswoman for the housing ministry said no one at the Residential Tenancy Branch was available to be interviewed.

“The Residential Tenancy Branch is still in discussions with the landlord,” said an emailed statement from the BC ministry. “We can’t comment on the specifics while negotiations are underway.”

Payment of the penalty is “on hold” while an agreement is negotiated, the email said.

What is Collard Doing Now?

Collard is disputing the eviction notice and has a hearing scheduled Thursday.

Isn’t this Kind of Like “Extortion?” Using the ‘Fine’ to try to Take Control and Avoid Evictions?

Many people agree with you. Let’s see what happens.

Tags: ACORN, fines, Residential Tenancy Branch, Surrey
Posted in Evictions | 1 Comment »

Report: Almost 25% of BC home owners rent out some part of their home

June 6th, 2012

A Recent Report States Nearly 25% of British Columbia House Owners Rent Out a Part of their Home

Wow, that’s a very large percentage!

So What Does a Part or Portion Mean?

The report states it could include a basement unit, or even the house owner turning their garage into a coach house that can house tenants.

Why is This Happening?

According to the report this remarkably high percentage is due to the current economy and the high price of real estate in British Columbia.

In fact, the number could be considerably higher due to economic conditions and the fact that many home owners are note inclined to reveal they are, in fact, landlords.

Why Is That?

Home owners who are also landlords may not want to reveal their business dealings if they don’t have the proper permissions from their insurance providers and/or they don’t have proper government registration.

So Why Are So Many Home Owners Becoming Landlords? I mean, being a landlord can have lots of risks like the Ontario Landlords Association (www.ontariolandlords.ca) make clear with “Tenant from Hell” Nina Willis!

Well, the rent income landlords get from tenants can be a terrific help in paying off the mortgage. And that money is, for some landlords, worth all the risk.

What are the Risks?

They are serious. And they will be written about here soon.

Tags: bc tenants, British Columbia landlords
Posted in British Columbia landlords | 1 Comment »

More “Rights” Coming for BC Tenants?

May 22, 2012

Fight, Fight, Fight or a Search for Social Justice?

According to a story in the Peacearch News, BC tenants with may soon find it easier to fight their landlords.

The Surrey government has asked the Lower Mainland Local Government Association to lobby the province to amend the British Columbia Residential Tenancy Act.

Amend the BC RTA?

Surry councilor Judy Villeneuve received unanimous council support for a resolution calling for a change in Part 5 of the Residential Tenancy Act.

What is Part 5 of the Residential Tenancy Act about?

Part 5 of the RTA states how tenants can enforce their ‘tenant rights’ against landlords. Tenants who have issues with their landlords must now go to court and present and prove their case.

So What’s Wrong With That?

According to Villeneuve having to make and defend your case is too difficult and too bureaucratic for tenants.

The Surrey resolution states: “Tenants who wish to enforce their rights under the RTA must navigate a complex bureaucratic and legal process and be prepared to spend significant amounts of time and money to engage the process.” It goes on to say “Creating barriers for tenants to access the RTA, especially tenants with low incomes of vulnerabilities.”

Villeneuve goes on to voice her concern that many rental properties in British Columbia were built 25 to 30 years ago. She says “Tenants are living in untenable situations.”

Wait a Minute. To Create More Private Rentals You Increase Government Interference in the Market?

Villeneuve and Surrey Council seem to think so. Which is strange because even the former Ontario NDP government under Premier Bob Rae found out otherwise. Our friends at the Ontario Landlords Association explain the NDP 1991 rent increase exemption here.

Let’s hope Villeneuve and Surrey Councilors come together and rent out their basements and invest in some private multiplexes to help create more high quality, new rental stock in the province.

Don’t hold your breath.

Tags: residential tenancy act, Surrey, Tenant rights
Posted in BC Tenant Rights | Comments Off on More “Rights” Coming for BC Tenants?

RCMP Report: Landlord/tenant disputes distracting police

April 14th, 2012

The Clearwater Times reports the RCMP in Clearwater have received multiple calls in April regarding landlord and tenant issues.

These landlord and tenant disputes are distracting the police.

The RCMP explain both landlords and tenants should understand the British Columbia Residential Tenancy Act and need to be aware of their rights.

Landlords and Tenants Should Know the Law

This information is clearly laid out online at www.rto.gov.bc.ca:

“The Residential Tenancy Branch provides landlords and tenants with information and dispute resolution services. The information on this website will help you understand your rights and responsibilities under British Columbia’s Residential Tenancy Act and Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act.”

The RCMP ask landlords and tenants to please review the information before you act. There is a process involved that needs to be followed.

Also, remember that sometimes law enforcement are not totally aware of landlord and tenant laws!

Tags: Clearwater, RCMP
Posted in Landlord and Tenant Conflict | Comments Off on RCMP Report: Landlord/tenant disputes distracting police

Landlord Gurdyal Singh Sahota fined $115,000 by Residential Tenancy Branch

March 26th, 2012

Whalley chairwoman for ACORN and tenant at Kwantlen Park Manor stands in front of the building she lives in and used to manage. Her landlord Gurdyal Singh Sahota was the first to be fined by Residential Tenancy Branch.

Gurdyal and his company Waterford Developments fined $115,000

The residential building, which houses 31 suites and nearly 40 occupants, is known for rotting deck railings, decayed ceilings and walls that look to be about ready to sink. This led to Gurdyal and his company to receive the first administrative penalty under the BC Residential Tenancy Act.

Gurdyal and Waterford Developments did not follow an agreement made in May 2011 to fix a constantly leaking rook at the building in North Surrey.

How did they come up with $115,000?

The break-down to the fine is as follows. A one-time fee equaling $5000. Then, a fine of $500 per day until fixing the ceiling since a deadline on June 2011.

What does tenant and former building manager Collard think?

The fine was “warrented” says Collard. She continues on saying the building has had “deteriorating conditions” for over two years.

She is very skeptical whether the repairs will in fact ever be completed, as many of the units are empty.

“It’s been pretty hellish,” Collard said. “No tenant should have to endure a continuing situation where there are no repairs getting done. We don’t know when we will get repairs. We are hopeful we will following this decision.

Who is Gurdyal Singh Sahota?

The Sahota family own several buildings considered “problematic” in Metro Vancouver. This include the Pandora hotel where the roof collapsed and the 36 tenants were given a $170,000 settlement because they were made to leave the unsafe building.

Acorn compares the conditions at Kwantelen Park as similar to the Pandora hotel in 2005, two years before the roof whent down.

So what is ACORN?

ACORN is a very controversial group originating in the Unites States and have been moving into Canada over the past few years, especially the province of Ontario. The Ontario Landlords Association has debated the merits and sincerity of this group.

What about the Government?

Rich Coleman, the B.C. minister responsible for housing, said administrative penalties are only considered for “serious, deliberate contraventions of the act.”

“It should send a message to these landlords — and there’s not many of them — who decide they’re going to flout certain responsibilities they have to their tenancy agreement with these tenants,” Coleman said Tuesday.

Tags: ACORN, fines, slumlords
Posted in Surrey landlords | 1 Comment »

Pets Left Behind in Abandoned Rental Properties

March 6th, 2012

The Penticton Western News has reported the SPCA South Okanagan branch has been inundated with pets who are injured, sick and orphaned. SPCA officials are pleading for help from the general public.

Making an already busy year even busier has been the recent seizure of thirty abandoned pets from three abandoned properties.

According to the SPCA, at the first location five small puppies were found encrusted in their own feces and urine.

At a second location, twenty-one cats were left behind by a tenant who left without notice and found by the landlord. Many of the cats have severe eye infections, with many already blind.

At the third location, a rabbit was found suffering as it’s fur was stuck to the cage, making it nearly unable to move.

Branch manager Tracy Westmoreland asks, “How can people do this (to abandon pets)?…“If you find the answer, let me know because this is heartbreaking to see.”

The SPCA regularly finds animals that include strays and surrenders from people moving, and situations of compassionate care where pets are taken in when owners are sick or in the hospital.

However, particularly unsettling to the manger is the increase of cases where the pets are left behind.

“I don’t know if there are more tenants moving out and leaving their landlords without paying bills, but certainly there seems to be more people skipping out on their animals,” said Westmoreland. “We want people to remember we are here.”

As well as the additional strain on the SPCA’s financial resources, they receive no government support, the increased workload on the limited staff and support workers is substantial.

“We really do need as much help as possible to care for these stray and unwanted animals,” said Westmoreland. “We’re desperately looking for more volunteers, especially in the morning with the cats.”

“We have so many wonderful animals who desperately want to be part of a family.”

To view animals for adoption, visit spca.bc.ca/adopt or go to the Penticton shelter from noon to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

To make a donation to help the animals, please visit spca.bc.ca/support, call 250-493-0136 or mail to the B.C. SPCA South Okanagan/Similkameen Branch, 2200 Dartmouth Drive, Penticton, B.C. V2A, 7W7.

Tags: abandoned pets, SPCA
Posted in Property management | Comments Off on Pets Left Behind in Abandoned Rental Properties

A 45% Rent Increase? Vancouver Seniors Fight Back

February 23rd, 2012

Seniors who live in an East Vancouver rental building have decided to fight their landlord’s attempt to get a 45% increase in rent.

Many of the seniors or living on pensions and state if would be destroy their finances if the rent increase went forward.

Tenant Adeline Saunders is 57 and has rheumatoid arthritis. She says her disability pension barely covers her current expenses and if the rent goes up she will be in a very difficult situation: choosing between hearing her apartment or paying for food.

The tenants admit the landlord has put double windows in. They also admit the building is being renovated with security upgrades added.

Renter Andy Lai said it’s unbelievable the landlord could attempt to raise the rent so high. In British Columbia the normal allowable rent increase is 4.3%. In Ontario rents are going to be capped at 2.5% no matter what inflation is in 2013. See here. In Alberta you can raise the rent as much as you want.

The landlord has applied to the BC Residential Tenancy Branch to raise the rent higher than the allowable 4.3% increase because rents there are below market value.

The landlord claims that while rents are currently at $355/month for a bachelor suite, the market rent should be $740.

Tags: rent increase, Tenancy Branch, Vancouver
Posted in Rent Increase | Comments Off on A 45% Rent Increase? Vancouver Seniors Fight Back

Seniors Cheers as BC Tenancy Branch Says No to a Rent Increase of 45%

A group of East Vancouver seniors is relieved to hear they won’t be facing a steep rent increase this year.

Last month, CBC News revealed the Mount Pleasant Lions Club, which runs Lions Manor on East 6th Avenue, was seeking to raise rents by 45 per cent.

B.C. landlords are allowed to raise rents by 4.3 per cent in 2012, but the housing society argued rents at Lions Manor were too far below market value.

Many of the building’s 36 tenants are living on seniors’ and disability pensions, and said a 45 per cent rent increase would be a financial disaster for them.

B.C’s Residential Tenancy Branch rejected the club’s application, saying the landlord failed to provide evidence to the tenants and the tenancy branch.

The tenancy branch limited this year’s rent increase to the legally allowed 4.3 per cent.

Tenant Denis Ledoux believes the landlord didn’t expect the fight they got.

“They weren’t prepared for anything at all,” he told CBC News.

“They were probably hoping for us to just go along with everything like we’ve been doing, not say nothing at all, cause we’re all older or all retired here.”

Ledoux says for now the tenants are happy with the result, but he worries the landlord may apply for a larger rent increase next year again.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/02/18/bc-lions-rent-increase.html

Tags: seniors, Tenancy Branch
Posted in Rent Increase | Comments Off on Seniors Cheers as BC Tenancy Branch Says No to a Rent Increase of 45%

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